Extinguish the Fire
Sep 29 2023 12:52PM
Fire safety is a vital concern for any business. Fires can cause serious damage to property, injury to people, and loss of reputation. In the UK, fire safety law requires anyone who owns, manages, or operates a business to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which applies to all workplaces and the common parts of buildings containing two or more domestic premises. The law places legal duties on the responsible person to undertake a fire risk assessment maintain general fire precautions, including appropriate fire-fighting equipment such as fire extinguishers.
Fire extinguishers are devices that can be used to control or extinguish small fires in an emergency. They come in different types and sizes, depending on the fire classification and the size of the area to be protected. Fire extinguishers must meet the European Standard BS EN3 and comply with BS 5306 colour coding code of practice. They must also be installed, commissioned, maintained, and inspected by a competent person in accordance with BS 5306.
In this blog, we will discuss the importance of fire extinguishers and correct fire extinguishers in the commercial setting. We will cover the following topics:
- How to choose the right type and size of fire extinguisher for your premises
- How to use and store fire extinguishers safely and effectively
- How to comply with fire safety law and guidance for fire extinguishers
How to choose the right type and size of fire extinguisher for your premises
Fire extinguishers are classified according to the type of fire they can put out. There are six main classes of fire:
- Class A: Solid burning materials (paper, wood, textiles, etc.)
- Class B: Flammable liquids (petrol, diesel, paint, etc.)
- Class C: Flammable gases (propane, butane, methane, etc.)
- Class D: Flammable metals (magnesium, aluminium, sodium, etc.)
- Electrical: Electrical equipment (computers, appliances, wiring, etc.)
- Class F: Cooking oils and fats
Different types of fire extinguishers use different extinguishing agents to tackle different classes of fire. The most common types of fire extinguishers are:
- Water: Suitable for Class A fires only. Not effective on flammable liquids, gases or metals. Can cause electric shock if used on electrical equipment.
- Foam: Suitable for Class A and B fires. Forms a blanket over the burning surface to smother the flames and prevent re-ignition. Can also be used on electrical equipment if tested to 35kV.
- Powder: Suitable for Class A, B and C fires. Also effective on electrical equipment and flammable metals. Creates a barrier between the fuel and oxygen to stop the combustion process.
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Suitable for Class B and electrical fires. Displaces oxygen from the fire and cools down the burning material. Leaves no residue but can cause frostbite if in contact with skin and cause asphyxiation.
- Wet Chemical: Suitable for Class F fires. Also effective on Class A fires involving wood or paper. Sprays a fine mist of alkaline solution that reacts with hot oil or fat to form a soapy layer that seals the surface and prevents re-ignition.
The type of fire extinguisher you need depends on the fire hazards present in your premises. You should conduct a fire risk assessment to identify the potential sources of ignition, fuel and oxygen in your premises and select the appropriate fire extinguisher for each area. You should also consider the size of the area to be protected and choose a fire extinguisher that can provide adequate coverage.
You should normally have at least two Class A fire extinguishers on every storey of the building. You should also have additional fire extinguishers for other classes of fire where appropriate. For example, if you have flammable liquids in a workshop, you should have a Class B fire extinguisher.
You should display the fire extinguisher signs near the fire extinguishers to indicate their type and location.
Fire extinguishers should be labelled with the following information:
- The name and address of the supplier
- The date of manufacture and expiry
- Record of ongoing maintenance
You should also follow these tips when locating fire extinguishers:
- Locate them in a visible and accessible location, preferably near an exit or a fire point.
- Mount them on a wall or a stand up to a height of 1m from the floor for larger extinguishers (more than 4kg) and 1.5m for smaller ones (less than 4kg).
- Keep them away from heat, sunlight, moisture, dust, and corrosive substances.
- Protect them from tampering, vandalism, or theft.
How to comply with fire safety law and guidance for fire extinguishers
As a responsible person, you have a legal duty to ensure that your premises are equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment where necessary. You must also ensure that your staff are trained and competent to use this equipment in case of a fire. To comply with fire safety law and guidance for fire extinguishers, you should:
- Carry out a fire risk assessment and review it regularly.
- Provide sufficient and suitable fire extinguishers for your premises in accordance with RRO 2005.
- Install, commission, maintain and inspect your fire extinguishers by a competent person in accordance with BS 5306.
- Keep records of all your fire safety activities, including your fire risk assessment, your fire-fighting equipment inventory, your installation, commissioning, maintenance and inspection certificates, your staff training records, etc.
- Cooperate with your local fire and rescue service and provide them with any information they may require about your premises and your fire-fighting equipment.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your premises are safe from fire and that you comply with your legal obligations.
Fire extinguishers are essential tools for preventing fires from spreading. They can also save lives by allowing people to escape safely. However, they must be used correctly and responsibly. Therefore, we recommend that you:
- Conduct a thorough fire risk assessment of your premises and identify the potential sources of ignition, fuel, and oxygen.
- Provide adequate and appropriate fire extinguishers for each area of your premises in accordance with RRO 2005.
- Display clear signs and labels to indicate the type and location of your fire extinguishers.
- Train your staff on how to use your fire extinguishers safely and effectively in case of a fire.
- Hire a competent person to install, commission, maintain and inspect your fire extinguishers in accordance with BS 5306-3.
- Keep records of all your fire safety activities and cooperate with your local fire and rescue service.
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